​We were eating recently at our favourite Thai restaurant, Soi.38, in Adelaide. We started with a plate of Sago Peanut Dumplings with salted coconut sauce. These were apricot-sized balls of sticky steamed tapioca, stuffed with both finely chopped mushrooms and peanuts. They sat in a shallow sauce of coconut milk and were topped with a ring of sliced red chilli and some coriander. They were amazing and delicious, like nothing I’ve ever had or imagined before.

Then it struck me. They were inadvertently, unselfconsciously, quite naturally made with no animal product at all. I guess you’d say they were vegan. I type this word with a tremor in my hand. Why?

This brought to mind another “vegan experience”, in particular a dish of steamed whole zucchini, served as is, with no enhancement. Let’s be brutally honest here, the zucchini is not the wildest little veg on the block. Apparently it has some food value hidden in its fibre and is certainly a flavour carrier but plain, steamed…?

The worst part of the experience was that the hosts/cooks commented at every bite “Yum. Isn’t this delicious!” Now I love sitting around a table and will enjoy practically everything I’m offered (and I don’t have to wash up). But, I’m the guest here guys and it’s my role to comment on any deliciousness, not yours.

I’ve found a recipe/explanation for the sago balls above, on the great Google cookbook in the cloud (and I’ll try that later) but my mind is buzzing. I know I can do a fantastic, delicious, exciting, meal where no-one misses the eggs, cream, honey or meat. I would have to put in a little effort, of course and that raises the question. Do vegans cook? Are they interested in flavour? Are they interested in texture variation? Are they committed to honouring the produce of this beautiful earth? Are they interested in exciting the senses or is that too base a desire?

That's really going to mess things up! We have a hive of bees (on sabbatical from a bee keeper) in the front garden, hoping that they'll help our crop of avocados this year. We are exploiting them ruthlessly. When they aren't busy helping our little suburban plantings, we threaten them and pull their wings off. We're really messing with their heads!!! HaHa!

Reply

Roger Vincent

25/10/2018 09:12:09 am

That pretty well cuts out all fruit and many vegetables doesn’t it.? Do they ever think anything through?

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Angela

24/10/2018 11:50:27 am

Hi Cath, Good to hear you are back home and thanks for the Soi 38 recommendation. I didn't know of it and will go very soon, maybe now! Also I love the plate as usual and thanks for the credits. I was going to ask for that information! One of the few vegan meals we eat regularly is I think derived from a Kylie Kwong recipe which is tofu & cherry tomato, wok fried with ginger, brown sugar, black vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, soy & sesame oil; sour, salty & sweet. I'll try the asparagus soon. Best wishes, Angela

Nice to be reminded of that. I'll try it - love tofu. I also remember a great Asian-style dish you did with eggplant. As I say, it's non-vegans who do the best vegan cooking!

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Jill Cooke

20/11/2018 05:07:10 pm

I just want to say how chuffed I am to freshly discover you have a blog, Ms. Kerry! I had a WEA? cooking class of yours back in '99 possibly when we had first moved to Adelaide and forever have appreciated your attitude (and your great stint at AGSA) ever since. Good going.